Sports
THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL-OWNED SPORTING COMPLEX IN NIGERIA: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
OYO state, one of the foremost States in the Yoruba nation, a South-West region in Nigeria prides itself as the state of many firsts not only in the country but in the continent as a whole.
The state which can boast to have had the first television station in Africa, WNBC-WNBS which was later metamorphosed into Nigeria Television Authority; the frist university in Africa, University of Ibadan and the first stadium in the continent, Liberty Stadium, all situated in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, are few of the several firsts developmental institutions that were, first of all, germinated in the state even when the country was still under the British colonial rule, after which other States in Nigeria and some African countries began emulating the unique projects. These historic feats have earned the state its famous sobriquet the pacesetter.
This time arround, it is the first ever private-owned sporting edifice; this sporting complex with a standard football pitch is being constructed in the ancient city of Akanran in Ona-Ara local government, a suburb of Ibadan, the state capital.
Besides the Standard football pitch which is arround thirty-five percent completion, the indoor and outdoor games arenas such as basket ball, volley ball, handball and lawn tennis courts have all reached eighty percent completion.
According to the site engineer, a local contractor, who does not want his name to be published because he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the owner of the sporting complex which is scheduled to be fully completed in September this year stated, when asked if the sporting complex can be completed within the said time frame, that he is cock sure that his crew will achieve hundred percent completion by September, adding that, that is the reason why they have been working round the clock, including Sundays, to ensure that the dead line is met.
Our correspondence learned that the objective behind the citing of the sporting edifice in the sprawling town of Akanran by the owner, a business man, a silent philantropist and who himself is a trained-engineer is to first and foremost, develop and exposé Akanran town to the outside world.
In his words, “the owner being an indigene of this local goverment, Ona-Ara, is not happy about the state of infrastructural facilities in the town and local government as a whole.
He does not like the primitive state which the town has been sentenced to by the past governments, hence, he had taken it upon himself to open up the town, and in extension, the local government, to the outside world by building standard sporting complex within the local government.
“He is not unaware of the the bad state of the road the motorists pass through when entering Akanran, the council’s headquarters, but he believes that various developmental projects being citéd in the town by him will spur the state government to rehabilitate or better still, reconstruct the road which in its present state is a motorists’ nightmares”, he concluded.
According to the investigation conducted by our correspondent, the owner and his advisors had drawn up several activities that will not only make the sporting complex engaged but also self sustaining upon full completion; and on top of these activities are grass root football competitions.
The site engineer stated further, “the owner being a passionate philantropist, believes that having a grass root sporting competitions organised within the sporting complex will not only make the edifice engaged but will also serve as talents discovery avenue which will give quality life and hope to the children of the downtrodden of the society whose talents have not been properly harnessed for the development of the country by the various sporting bodies.
“It is also believed that the football pitch in the complex might be used as a training pitch by the Shooting Stars football club because we learned that Shooting Stars football club go as far as Ijebu-ode in Ogun state to have their training sessions done.
Apart from this, just as it will be useful for the less priviledged of the society, it will also be useful to the rich. One of the objectives is to use the sporting complex as an avenue through which the rich can recreate and as a means of “escape route” from the hustle and bustle of the state capital, ibadan. Akanran being a suburb and agrarian town has a serene and non-polluted environment, hence, the guest rooms being constructed simultaneously with the sporting facilities.
“The guest rooms will serve as the accomodation for those who want to use the complex for various kinds of recreation or the other.
The newly weds, instead of travelling out outside the country for their honey moon, thereby spending their hard-earned money which can be used for better things, will find a perfect place within the environment for neccessary bonding, because, apart from the facilies that will be enjoyed in the guest rooms, they will also have access to the complex sporting facilities.
And Just tell me what is more perfect than to have a newly married couple playing alone together in this nearly perfect, none polluted environment, he asked rhetorically.
“All these and more are some of the plans the management has pencil down as sources of revenue which will make the sporting complex to be engaged sporting wise and economically self sustaining.
Our correspondent, however learned that, the long term vision of the owner is to turn the town into a mega city. Because according to our source, apart from a big mordernised farm which the owner runs besides yet-to-be-completed sporting arena, he has also earmarked a special portion, just a stone throw besides the stadium for an international market.
By Hazeez Ayansola.
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.
Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.
“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.
She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.
“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.
President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.
The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.
He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”
The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Super Falcons on their historic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Falcons, who came from two goals down to seal the win in Rabat, clinched their 10th WAFCON title—further cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition. Reacting to the victory, Oseni described the performance as “a warrior’s triumph that speaks volumes about the indomitable Nigerian spirit.”
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the team’s resilience should serve as a symbol of hope and unity for the entire nation. “They refused to surrender. That comeback from two goals down defines who we are as Nigerians—strong, focused, and unstoppable when united,” he said.
The Falcons had gone behind in the 13th minute when Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak capitalised on a loose ball to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy before halftime, putting Nigeria on the back foot before the break.
However, second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini turned the game on its head, securing victory for Coach Justin Madugu’s side and avenging their 2024 semi-final loss to the North Africans. Oseni also hailed Madugu’s tactical brilliance, describing him as “the architect of a new chapter in women’s football in Nigeria.”
The lawmaker who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) joined other national figures, including President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating the Falcons. The President had earlier taken to his verified social media accounts to praise the team’s performance, declaring, “Mission X: Complete!” while Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, described it as a flawless display of Nigerian spirit.
Oseni urged the Falcons not to rest on their laurels but to build on the momentum ahead of their title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “This is just the beginning. You have inspired millions of girls across the continent. Keep flying the flag and keep making Nigeria proud,” he added.
He also called on sports authorities and private stakeholders to invest more in women’s football, noting that the team’s success was proof of the untapped potential in the sector. “We have global stars in the making. Now is the time to give them the platform and support they truly deserve,” the lawmaker submitted.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a thrilling comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, clinching their record-extending 10th continental title.
The win was sweet revenge for Justin Madugu’s side, who were eliminated by the Atlas Lionesses in the semi-finals of the previous edition.
Despite a bright start by the Falcons, it was the Moroccans who struck first in the 13th minute. A loose ball fell kindly to tournament top scorer, Ghizlane Chebbak, who rifled her effort past Chiamaka Nnadozie to hand the hosts an early lead.
Nigeria tried to respond through Ijamilusi Folashade, but her tame effort was easily gathered by Moroccan goalkeeper, Khadija Er-Rmichi.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Fatima Tagnaout released Sanaâ Mssoudy, who drove into the box and fired a low, left-footed strike beyond Nnadozie to make it 2-0.
Morocco maintained their advantage into the break as both sides went into the dressing room with the scoreline firmly in the hosts’ favour.
The Super Falcons returned with renewed purpose in the second half, stepping up their intensity and putting the Moroccan defence under sustained pressure.
Nigeria nearly pulled one back when a collision between Er-Rmichi and defender Nesryne El Chad almost gifted the Falcons a goal, but the Moroccan defence cleared their lines in time.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd minute when a ball hooked back into the area by Ijamilusi struck the arm of defender Nouhaila Benzina, resulting in a penalty. Esther Okoronkwo stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to halve the deficit.
Eight minutes later, Okoronkwo turned provider, sprinting down the right flank before cutting back a well-timed pass for Ijamilusi, who made no mistake from close range to level the tie at 2-2.
The Falcons completed their sensational comeback in the 88th minute when Jennifer Echegini reacted quickest to a deep free-kick, stabbing home from close range to spark wild celebrations on the Nigerian bench.
The victory sees Nigeria reinforce their dominance in African women’s football, securing their 10th WAFCON title and reasserting their status as the queens of the continent.
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